Ever wonder if and how pesticides affect the win you drink? 041WINE columnist Lelethu Zondani has the answers.
Harvest season begins way before the grapes are taken off the vines. During this waiting period of 6 – 16 weeks between the months of January to March, winemakers clean and check all equipment and tools used for the winemaking process. Cellars and tanks are cleared to prepare for the slaughtering of grapes. The process requires intense focus and manual labour.
South African winemakers are known for harvesting during hot climate weather where there’s lack of irrigation. Modern winemakers are constantly trying to find new methods to irrigate and save water during these trying times but for those who don’t bother with irrigation, they often use the phrase “dry land”/ “dry farmed” on the wine label. Fungus and mold is at times a welcomed visitor depending if botrytised wine production is the aim. Botrytised wine contains unique and concentrated flavors.
There’s a concept that pesticides can affect the taste of wine, In wine, the use of chemical pesticides is a very common practice. Conventional winemakers almost always use them to maximize their profit. However, organic and sustainable winemakers are taking an entirely different route.
South African wine producers are known to use Boscalid and Fenhexamid as fungi for their crops. Clofentezine as an insecticide and Ethephon as a plant growth regulator.
Grapes were found to have the highest amount of pesticide residues. There are strict limits concerning the use of pesticides and if they are used, then trace levels may well find their way into wine. But these trace levels must be well below levels that could cause any human health issues.
Therefore, pesticide residues can also affect taste and flavor of wine by changing metabolic activity of yeast and the metabolism of AA.
The best way to avoid consuming these harmful chemicals is by drinking organic wines that are derived from grapes grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilisers or herbicides.
As we marvel at the speed and efficiency of modern production methods, it’s essential to pause and reflect on the broader implications of our consumption patterns. While rapid production has undoubtedly brought convenience and accessibility to our lives, it’s also fueled by the relentless pursuit of profit in capitalist economies. Let’s strive for a more mindful approach to consumption, one that values quality over quantity and sustainability over excess. By doing so, we can reclaim our power as consumers and advocate for a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
Cheers 🍷
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